Drinking and mini golf8/23/2023 ![]() “That means area residents as well as visitors from out of town who are strolling the cobblestone streets. “Our goal is to educate and entertain folks in the Historic District,” said Cari Feiler Bender, spokesperson for Historic Philadelphia, which operates the park. While there is no bar on premise (or alcohol allowed on the course) seasonal beer gardens do pop up next to it throughout the year. In Philadelphia, mini golf has been the purview of Franklin Square, which in 2006 installed the city’s first and only 18-hole mini golf course featuring replicas of iconic Philly landmarks like Independence Hall, Elfreth’s Alley, and the Rocky Steps. The mini golf course at Franklin Square features obstacles modeled on historic Philly landmarks Credit: Mark Henninger / Imagic Digital □ Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn daily newsletter and stay in the know Parkside’s Whispering Pines Miniature Golf in New York is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and Allison’s Mini Golf in Ohio claims to be the oldest mini golf course in the nation. The sport peaked in 1930 with an estimated 25,000 mini golf courses in the U.S., including innovative 18-hole courses atop New York City skyscrapers and obstacle-laden greens found in beach towns everywhere. It lacked the chutes and ladders prominent on today’s courses, opting for straight greens and welcoming walkways. ![]() Mini golf crossed the pond in 1916 when steamship magnate James Barber built Thistle Dhu in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Andrews, with a special practice course for women during an era when it was considered uncouth for a lady to “take the club back past their shoulder.” In 1867, the Ladies’ Putting Club took root at St. Where and when did America’s love for mini golf start?Īccording to legend, the game traces its origins to the home of regular golf: Scotland. People on dates will appreciate one of the wall signs at Libertee Grounds Credit: DRZAZGA PHOTO / Courtesy Libertee Grounds From St. “And you don’t have to be good at the actual activity.” “It’s a great icebreaker for a first date - casual vibe, natural pauses, time to talk and get to know each other,” Shah said. Shah thinks activity-based drinking is here to stay (see axe-throwing, candle-making, paint and sip, etc.), and that among all the options, mini golf shines. Libertee Grounds also has a semi-private event space, which is mostly reserved for birthday parties, baby showers, and corporate outings. The plan moving forward is to add nine more holes to the 9-hole course, then expand on a live music program in the outdoor beer garden. But we’re hoping to expand,” said Shah, who is a trained chef and previously owned the Mexican Post in Wilmington, Delaware. “Yes, they are going to be bigger and most of them have 18 holes. (Shah grew up in West Chester co-owners Pri Rambhia and Kanay Patel hail from South Jersey.). The local ownership group at Libertee Grounds remains positive. □ Love Philly? Sign up for the free Billy Penn newsletter to get everything you need to know about Philadelphia, every day. The Philly venue will reportedly have three different 9-hole putting courses and multiple bars. Puttery has locations in five cities, including Dallas, Charlotte, Miami, Houston, and DC. ![]() The venture is to be operated by Drive Shack, a Texas-based competitor to Topgolf that’s pivoting its business model toward mini. Meanwhile, Puttery Philadelphia has plans to debut later this year in a huge 78,000-sq.-ft. A press release touts plans for a “globally inspired” menu, along with a “tech-infused mini golf experience” powered by the brand’s patented Trackaball scoring system. facility is inside the Shops at Liberty Place. Puttshack - a fast-growing chain with locations in Atlanta, Chicago, and London - is set to open at 1625 Chestnut St. That’s key, because the competition is about to get fierce. “We think, with the food and drink part of it, that no one else is going to compete with us,” he said. Shah is counting on the menu to help Libertee stay popular. Food offerings also pay homage to the ownership group’s Indian-American roots, like the lamb kheema cheesesteak: frizzled masala lamb and ribeye topped with cheese and cilantro-lime aioli on a seeded Carangi roll. The 32 taps pour only local beer and cider, including a special Love City Brewing creation called Libertee Lager, which goes for $5 a pint. The first six holes spell out the word Philly others have odes to the Art Museum, Logan Square, and Boathouse Row, and there’s an wall featuring artwork by Natalie Flor Negron, Paul Carpenter, and other local artists. That’s the theme of the design and decor.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |